The answer my friend is cobblestone in the wind
Why the Smithfield, Dublin venue is the gem of the Irish folk scene.
Greg McAteer, 08 May 2006
The best way to experience acoustic music is up close and personal, and although both Declan Sinnott and Christy Moore have every right to be proud of their double number one, you get the distinct impression from talking to both of them that they would have preferred to record almost anywhere except The Point. While the sheer volume of fans eager to see them riff off each other live makes the large shows an inevitability, they would both much rather be where they can see the whites of your eyes.
That’s exactly what makes a venue such as the Cobblestone such a vibrant place to see a band and it’s what keeps top class musicians from around the globe coming back to the small out of the way room.
This month the Smithfield venue gets out of the trap like a hungry greyhound with Seamus Tansey making the trip from Sligo for a rare Dublin appearance on May 4. Marian Bradfield and special guest Paul Flood are onstage the following evening and Saturday 6 sees the Foghorn String Band deliver some vibrant bluegrass. Gavin Ryan showcases new material from his upcoming debut album Broken Blues on Sunday May 7.
The following weekend is just as loaded with gems. The Mysterious Chords start the weekend early on Thursday 11 while Tom May brings his own brand of Americana through the doors the following evening. Saturday 13 sees Chuck Brodsky take the reins.
In what has to be one of the Cobblestone’s most packed months ever in terms of quality acoustic music Al O’Donnell plays the venue Saturday 20, Niall Connolly’s band are there on Sunday 21 while Seamie O’Dowd will be playing songs from his recent Headful Of Echoes album on Thursday 25. Geoff Muldaur mixes blues, gospel and American roots music the following evening and the ever entrancing Ger Wolfe (minus the Skylarks it would seem on this occasion) serves as a fitting capstone to a great month on Saturday 27. Hats off (again) to Paul Lee. Venue bookers are not ordinarily taken much notice of, but this one should have his own star on the door.
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